Jul 6, 2021

Roetzel & Andress Seeks Mansfield Rule Certification to Boost Diversity

The law firm of Roetzel & Andress is proud to announce its participation in Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification process as part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. Roetzel is one of 160 large law firms in the United States and Canada participating in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Process.

The Mansfield Rule measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, attorneys from underrepresented minority groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. The Mansfield Rule was inspired by NFL’s Rooney Rule and is named after Arabella Mansfield, the first female lawyer in the United States, who was admitted to the Iowa bar. 

“Diversity and inclusion are critically important to our organizational success,” said Roetzel Chairman Bob Blackham. “A diverse and inclusive team will not only make us a stronger firm, but it will help us create real change in our quest for inclusivity. We are proud to seek Mansfield Rule Certification and we firmly believe Roetzel should reflect the diverse communities we serve.” 
 
Diversity Lab works with participating firms to measure their outcomes annually and, based on those outcomes, redefines the Mansfield Rule program to ensure that the goal of diversifying firm leadership progresses as inclusively and impactfully as possible.

The Roetzel attorneys collaborating on this effort are:

  • Bob Humphrey (Cleveland)
  • Paul Jackson (Akron)
  • Stephanie Olivera Mittica (Akron)
  • Rachael Russo (Cleveland)
  • Mark Young (Cleveland)

For more information, please see the Diversity Lab’s press release

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